Private Tales Dance of an Immortal Kiss

[Lenuta]

Free from Blackroot's grasp, the troupe was transported into the familiar foyer of the Nocterose manor.


The talisman that Gabel held, drained of all of its stored energy, crumbled in his hands. He stumbled where he stood, even with the aide of the magically enhanced artifact, such a spell had still fatigued him greatly. Perry and Leonl eased him back into standing, allowing their companion to use them as support.


Tzuriel did not fare much better. The two strains of vampirism warred within him, fighting for dominance at the expense of his life, slowly eating away at him and bringing him closer to death with false promises of immortality. He would only survive for three days before one strain would stop his heart, the other refusing to allow him to live without its beat.


Lorelei, unaware of the pain that had begun to etch into the merchant king's veins, released him. Her concern was only with what Lenuta demanded of her, and she stepped forth with Moira to help raise the weakened Lady Nocterose to her feet.

Tzuriel Alanthis

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

Tzuriel fell to his hands and knees as soon as he was released. His body felt weak but he tried to push himself back up anyways. He was worried for Lenuta as well. He stumbled and ended up crawling to them, the black veins spreading from the bite wound like a black root. Making its slow three day journey to his heart.

Once he was knelt before a standing Lenuta he found he didn't have the strength to be of use anyways. So he simply found himself on his knees with barely the strength to keep his head up. There was nothing to say, even if he did have a breath to spare to say anything. He felt hot, as if he had a fever and beads of sweat dotted his forehead. He felt as if a clawed hand were squeezing his lungs and his breaths came in gasps.

But Lenuta was okay, and if she wanted to drink from him he was all but offering his neck, much from the lack of strength to hold it up properly. He simply looked up at her, as if a servant to his master. And all that was in his eyes was concern for her even though he suffered greatly.

 

[Lenuta]

"Take Gabel to the dining halls. Lorelei, escort Lady Lenuta to her chambers. Fenrir and I will report to Lord Nocterose." Moira's instructions were immediate and without care towards the suffering human who cowered on the floor, but she was not the ultimate authority anymore.

The others nodded to the fiery-headed vampiress, separating to carry out their orders while Lorelei gently turned towards the stairs.

"No." Lenuta's tone was softer than it had been before, her air of superiority shaken, though not destroyed. She had waited until the others were out of earshot, choosing to deal only with Lorelei.

Cinnamon hues had been trained on Tzuriel since Lorelei had retrieved him, perceptive vision noting his obvious distress. She pulled away from her associate, her balance imperfect but independent.
"He will come with." Her eyes finally tore away from him, trained on the floor.

"..My Lady that is not-"

"Do you forget your place?" Fangs bared as Lenuta gritted her teeth towards the shadow mage, causing her subordinate to swallow faintly before giving a small nod and once more wrapping her arms around Tzuriel, lifting him to his feet. She offered enough support that his feet could drag and still he would be held upright.

They traversed up stairways and down ornate halls, the crimson glare that emanated from Lenuta enough to cause the house attendants to scurry away before the trio even came into view, her very aura menacing.
"Do you know what is wrong with him?" She asked, though her head remained trained forward.

"..My skills aren't in health but.. I've seen something like this happen before. In the dining halls." Lorelei started, her voice low. "Our lineage doesn't mingle well with that of other vampires'. They died in three days." She kept her explanation short, wary that if she spoke for too long she would offend her mistress. Lenuta's jaw tightened at this information, her gaze flickering sideways towards the two briefly before she pushed open the large ebony doors that concealed her chambers.

A theme of deep plum and onyx conquered the decorum of the room, no luxury too grand. They were welcomed by large windows, framed in velvet curtains with lace trim, the hard floors covered in plush rugs that stifled their steps. Her bed was framed in the same velvet, pulled aside to reveal stuffed comforters and silk sheets with a myriad of pillows.
"Place him here and fetch us some blood."

Lorelei seemed to hesitate again, looking towards Lenuta's bed with tense lips. She did not question her orders, laying the suffering human in sheets the likes of which he had probably not felt before. She nodded before swiftly making her exit, the door closing behind her.

With the soft 'click' of the door's latch, Lenuta stumbled. She gripped tightly at the wooden banisters that supported the bed's curtains, heaving faintly from the effort it had taken to maintain her composure. She leaned forward, grasping at Tzuriel's neckline, grunting as she pulled him up, forcing him to sit and face her, eye to eye.

"Why were you there?"

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

The bed was indeed incredibly soft... But he couldn't feel it nor enjoy it. The symptoms of the poison continued, but he was able to breath a little easier. Which made it easier for him to speak when she pulled him upright and made him look into her eyes.
"Because... They told me... You were taken... I... Was there... Because of you..."
He assumed she would see his little acts of sacrifice and bravery on her behalf as petty, and his obvious affection misplaced. With dark veins appearing up half of his face he didn't really care.

She had to hold him upright, because his strength had given out once more. Tzuriel wished he had prepared more... That he could have come with a counter to such a poison... But how could he have known this would happen?
He felt death so close... But what was odd to him was that he didn't feel afraid. Oh death, where is thy sting? He looked into Lenuta's eyes. Allowing himself to get lost in them the way he did the night they met.
He had never seen himself as a servant, or even someone to be served. But now with death so close he found that dying in service to her didn't sound bad at all. He heard Lorelei say that he would die in three days... Perhaps if Lenuta took all his blood before then, he would die at least knowing he was of service.

He almost had to laugh at himself. Isn't that what his parents tried to impress on him? The value of serving others? He felt foolish for not listening to them more.
But now it seemed he would die in the presence of the most beautiful woman in existence... A vampire. But he was alright with that arrangement.
"If you want something... From me... Then just take it... I couldn't stop you... If I wanted to... And I don't want to..."

 

[Lenuta]

It had been over a week since she had first been attacked and kidnapped, and it showed. Her porcelain flesh was dull in comparison to when she was freshly fed, the scarlet she favored to paint her lips long gone. Tousles of rich mocha were frayed and disheveled as they fell to her waist, disregarded from the usual pristine curls and updos she wore. The whites of her eyes were no longer bloodshot, but a weariness rest within them, one that would only be defeated by rest. Even with her ailments, she had to have her answers. Her world had been shaken by this traumatic event, leaving her on unstable footing as she was now aware of her own vulnerability. She needed to regain control.

The feelings Tzuriel had for her were not something Lenuta was familiar with. Admiration, respect, loyalty. Those were things she recognized and expected, but she knew what he held for her was different. Her jaw tightened at his explanation, an unknown warmth touching her heart at the care he held for her.

"Tzuriel..." What was she to say? She was in uncharted waters with barely a raft to float within a treacherous storm. Her eyes flickered towards the bite another had left on him, a pit of ignored jealousy forming along with the recognition that she had little time. He was growing weaker, barely able to form sentences. A thumb curiously pressed at his upper lip, revealing the signs of the other vampiric strain as his canines grew long and sharp.

She came to the conclusion that a cure to his condition was rare, as one of their donors had previously died to a similar infliction. She had formed her own hypothesis after hearing of it, though now that it came to it, she was hesitant. Her digits were unsteady as they worked at the buttons of her own bedraggled collar, releasing the top three to expose her neck. The worst that could happen was that he could still die, and if so, she had eternity to get over his sacrifice.

Her hand slid to cradle the back of his own neck, locking his gaze into her once more. She couldn't hold it, her lips tensing as she looked away, instead choosing to speak to the pillows.

"... Bite me."

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

This was unexpected... She wanted him to drink from her? She didn't laugh at him or condemn him for doing what he did... Instead she unbuttoned her collar and offered him her neck.
He could feel his canines were much longer now. So he could see that he had the capability to do it. But he wondered what she wanted to gain from this? How would she benefit by having him drink her blood? Would her blood hasten his demise? was this mercy from her?

Well, all he could do was obey her. He was dying anyways. With a little twitch of his remaining strength he leaned forward, pressing his lips firmly against her exposed neck. He could feel her blood pumping through her veins under his lips. He slowly opened his mouth and placed the tips of his new fangs over the vein. Then with one final little push he slid them smoothly through her skin and he tried his best to catch every drop of blood that poured out, though in his fatigue he wasn't very successful. However he did manage two whole mouthfuls of her blood before he passed out again, leaning on her shoulder.

 

[Lenuta]

Their proximity shortened, bodies drawing closer together as their roles reversed. His lips were already growing cold as they glid along her neck, a shiver running down her spine that had nothing to do with the temperature. She felt the set of his sharp fangs, gentle as they placed against her veins before finally piercing.


A sharp inhale followed, her hands grasping at his tunic as she winced faintly. His bite was soft, be it from care or from his weakened state, she didn't know. Her blood would not be particularly appetizing to his new vampiric tastes, as hers could not sate the hunger of the undead. That was not her goal. She felt him slump, her arms grasping around him instinctively as a frown painted her pale lips.


She lowered him gently, a hand pressing against the mark left by his bite. Her regeneration was still slowed, her body still needing rest of its own, to which she of ignored. She watched as the familiar transformation began to alter his form, her vampiric curse growing stronger within him with her blood now coursing through him.


"My Lady…" Lorelei had returned, a brunette maiden in tow. The two entered, forcing Lenuta to mask her exhaustion once more, swiftly buttoning her blouse.


"Thank you, Lorelei. You may go." She crossed to the blood donor, the smell of her sweet blood calling to Lenuta like the most delicious lullaby. The smallest of frowns touched her lips at the sight of the woman, the vampiress wishing that a male donor had been provided instead. She steeled herself, gesturing for the woman to sit at the chaise next to the bed whilst Lorelei bowed her head and left once more.


It was up to Tzuriel now. She had gifted him with the most precious gift, her own blood and the chance at an enlightened existence. She would not interfere as the hunger took him, the brunette growing faintly concerned as the situation began to dawn on her, and the possibility of her death lay with the rebirth of the Merchant King.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

Her blood, while not the sweetest he would taste, was still sweet to his tongue. But once inside his body it felt like a fire far surpassing the poison in his veins. Destroying the poison and beginning the transformation in his body as he was lowered back onto the bed. He was in even more agony than before as he writhed on the bed. His fangs receded and then regrew, sharper and more prominent.
His features become slightly narrower, more feral. And his blue eyes seemed to cloud over, the blue becoming a flaming golden.
And when he opened those eyes he was awakened to a new world. A world full of o many sounds, sights, and smells that he never knew existed before. And he heard a heartbeat, close. He could smell living blood, pumping, pulsing. A hunger awoke within him to feed on the source of that utterly divine scent.

He turned and looked at the girl, but it was like he didn't see the girl, but only the blood that pumped through the veins in her neck. Somewhere a reasoning part of his brain warned him to be careful, but he couldn't stop himself. He lunged at the girl and they landed on the floor. His fangs were already in her neck and he was drinking deeply from her. It was like heaven just exploded in his mouth, the blood was like manna from heaven. He held the girl down, pinning her by her wrists and he kept his fangs locked on her throat.
She tasted so good.
Suddenly the reasoning part of his brain shouted at him, "STOP!" And he was jolted back, releasing the girl. She was not dead, but barely on the brink of life. He blinked and shuddered as he suppressed his unreasoning hunger. He was satisfied, but he wanted more. He had to discipline himself. But his voice of reason was back in control. He looked around, his golden eyes once more returning to their natural blue as he looked at Lenuta.

With his new sight he could see her clearly, even in shadows. And her beauty was only increased, if such a thing were possible. even battered and exhausted as she was. Tzuriel no longer felt so weak. The dark veins had receded and his life was spared. He felt stronger than he was before, colors were more vibrant. He felt unstoppable.
And he could see her exhaustion. He stood up and approached her... Then realized that he was now part of a new world with new rules, decided he should kneel.
"Lenuta... Lady Nocterose... You held my life in your hands... and decided to give it back to me... I am forever in your debt."

 

[Lenuta]

She recognized the hunger that filled his golden irises, framed in blood. His attention immediately pulled towards the donor, fangs bared and eager as he tackled her to the ground. Lenuta swiftly turned away from the sight of the duo writhing on the floor, striding towards a cabinet filled with her own supply of preserved blood to imbibe in. She didn't even bother for a goblet, pouring the liquid eagerly into her mouth as the smell of fresh-spilled blood wafted through her room.


The donors that dwell in the Nocterose house were not there by force. Each one taking thrill in supplying the family with the blood they needed. A guttural moan fell from the brunette's lips as Tzuriel fed from her, the bottle in Lenuta's hand cracking lightly at her strained grip as she pulled gently at the curtains of her window, trying to distract herself by looking out the thin opening.


It was only with his voice addressing her that she finally looked to him. Under his new vampiric guise he was more striking, her eyes flickering over him in approval as he lowered, expressing his gratitude.


"Yes well.. perhaps we will need to write up a new contract for that." She stated, the pitch of her voice even, drawing question as to whether she was joking or not. She strode to the woman grasping at her bleeding neck. Their personal blood suppliers were used to the effects of the toxin and the lightheadedness that followed after a feeding. She knew her use was spent, stumbling to her feet.


"Seek an attendant and be sure to get that wrapped." Lenuta ordered, opening the door and allowing the woman to leave. She backed to her bed, straining to lower herself without simply letting go of all her strength and falling into the folds. The empty bottle slipped from her hands and fell to the floor. No longer stressed for Tzuriel's life, she felt the overwhelm of exhaustion from her abduction, her head falling into her hands.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

Tzuriel watched her walk to her bed. He didn't know what he was to do now. She was obviously tired. Did she want him to leave? He wasn't ready to leave her just yet. He walked over and caught the bottle before it hit the floor. It cracked again in his grip and he realized his strength had increased considerably. He would have to exercise even more gentleness from now on.

He knelt in front of her again and tentatively spoke to her, "Lady Nocterose... Is there anything you need? What am I to do? What does all of this mean?"
He was a vampire now and he could already feel its effects on his body... But would Lord Nocterose just leave him be? Would they allow him to return to his life and try to figure things out himself? Or would they keep him there, on leash for whatever they need?

 

[Lenuta]

Leather boots strode purposefully down the hallway. Fenrir had left Gabel in Perry's care, intent on returning to Lenuta to attend to her needs.


All six of the Elite where close with Lady Nocterose, having watched her grow from a quiet girl into a beautiful young lady and, finally, the proud vampire she had always been destined to be. Fenrir in particular had watched her closely in the time that had passed since her rebirth, taken by her eagerness and mischievous behavior.


A hand pushed lengthy strands of pale hair, as white as fresh snow, from eyes that rivaled the deepest depth of the seas. The image of his lady, weakened and battered, defeat prominent in her eyes as he held her in his arms, was burned into his mind. He had wanted to see her to her room himself, but would never argue against Moira's orders, resigning himself until he was finally free to march towards Lenuta's chambers.


On his way he passed one of the many maids that attended to the household. She was helping a stumbling woman, her neck bloodied as she held desperately at the wound. This sight was not uncommon in Nocterose manor, and though Lenuta was supposed to be curbing her hunger only with preserved blood, he assumed she with her injuries she had caved and indulged in fresh blood. He rapped at the thick door upon his arrival, only opening when her voice called out gently, interrupting her from answering Tzuriel's questions.


The sight of Tzuriel kneeling at her bedside brought him pause. His oceanic depths grew cold at the sight and Tzuriel's new state of life, before his urge to care for Lenuta overcame him, stepping towards her to take her hands in his own. A frown formed at the raw skin, refusing to heal around her wrists.

"You're still not regenerating." He mentioned, focus honing on the new wound on her neck, her blood staining her ivory blouse. His frown only deepened, able to read the situation before he sighed, pulling the vampiress into his arms and laying her carefully into her bed. He swept darkened tresses away from her face with care.


When he righted himself he turned to the merchant, arms crossing.

"You have been graced with enough privilege today. Lady Nocterose needs to rest." He gestured towards the door, keen on allowing Lenuta the rest she needed.


"Wait!" Her hoarse voice was urgent, shifting faintly from her position.

"Tzuriel… he can stay."


If Fenrir had been mortal, his teeth would have shattered with the force he used to clench his jaw at her words. He remained silent, unwilling to voice his disdain and instead bowing, just as all who were loyal did. He caught Tzuriel with a glare before leaving the room.


Lenuta struggled to sit up, sighing lightly as she forced her brain to focus in order to answer previous questions, despite the obvious fatigue that plagued her, his concerns more for himself than for her.

"... We will revisit our contracts after I discuss this new development with Lord Nocterose. I believe he will agree that your… generosity should have been rewarded."

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

Tzuriel could see the apprehension of the other vampire. But now feeling the kind of strength that a vampire could command, he began to somewhat understand the superiority and arrogance they felt for mortals. He was first told to leave Lenuta's chambers, and if he did he honestly didn't know were he was expected to go from there.
But Lenuta gave him permission to stay and the other vampire left in a huff. He felt a pang of guilt as she continued to push herself to answer his questions.

He could still feel the blood of the maid flowing through him and completing his transformation. His eyes suddenly widened as searing pain shot through his fingers and his muscles instantly locked up. In desperation he was able to move quick enough to remove the silver ring from his finger before it completely incapacitated him. The Alanthis Family ring landed with a soft thump on the carpeted floor.
He looked at the burn marks on his finger. They looked bad, but he could already see them starting to heal.

He moved to her bedside and slowly let her down onto the pillows again, "Forgive me m'lady. I was being selfish, please don't push yourself, rest. I can fend for myself for a while I think. You've been through quite an ordeal."
She spoke of his generosity, while he saw his actions as merely getting in the way. His presence complicating things for her elite to move and perform unhindered. He shouldn't have assumed that House Nocterose would do nothing.

With a bow of his head he stood up to let her rest. He slipped on a glove and picked up his family ring from the floor, slipping it into his pocket. He would have to commission a new ring of a different metal, or get a chain for this one. The family crest cast in silver was the trademark of the Alanthis trade empire, he couldn't discard it.

With one last look back at Lenuta, his piercing expression softened into one of concern, he turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

 

[Lenuta]

There was a panic that began to fill her chest as Tzuriel crossed the room. It had not merely been for his benefit that she had told Fenrir he was allowed to stay. The wounds on her wrist remained, as well as the mental damage that had been inflicted.


Superior as she was with immortality, strength, speed, and heightened senses, she had still been easily overtaken. The decapitated heads of her companions still haunted her mind, jostling around next to her in the cart that had held her for several days.


She swallowed hard, hands grasping at her comforters.

"Wait! Please!" Her voice was without her usual supremacy, replaced instead by desperation and poorly-hidden fear.

"Could you… stay?"

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

With his hand on the doorknob he heard her voice stop him from leaving once more. There was a tone of desperation and fear, one he almost didn't recognize coming from her. He closed the door and turned back to face her. She wanted him to stay? He walked back to her bedside.

She still wore bloodstained clothes and her wounds were still raw. He wished he were in a position to give her his blood once more, like she had no doubt planned by contracting him to bring the specialty items to the Nocterose estate personally. And now she was weakened and he couldn't give of himself like he used to.
He knelt at her bedside, unsure of what she desired. So he decided to once again do as a gentleman would do. He took her hand in his and held it firmly, but with a gentleness that had nothing to do with his new strength. He placed his other hand on her forehead, instinctively as if he were checking for a fever, but remembering she's a vampire he felt a little foolish and changed the action to smooth her hair back away from her face.

His finger was already mostly healed, reduced to a mere burn. Lenuta had indeed given him a gift, instead of a curse, but at what cost to herself? He couldn't tell. He found a rag and dipped it in a wash basin, then used it to gently dab away the dirt on her face and neck.
He sighed as he tenderly washed her face, "You are a mystery, Lady Nocterose... Who can guess your thoughts or your ways."

 

[Lenuta]

She was back in the Manor, back home and safe, yet the feeling of terror that had gripped her would not shake away. She didn't want to be alone, afraid that she would once again be stolen away.


She calmed as he returned, settling back into her pillows as he carefully cared for her. She could feel her eyelids growing heavier, though her mind remained active, even as they closed.


"You may call me Lenuta." She breathed, her exhaustion clawing at her consciousness, though she fought it, reluctant of the nightmares that threatened to torture her.

 

[Tzuriel Alanthis]

As she fell asleep she finally gave him permission to use her name... So he did, "Lenuta... Sleep well Lenuta... Don't fear the darkness of your mind... Let me chase it away..."
He could surmise that she was traumatized by the experience, and sleeping alone was terrifying to her, so he felt confident in speaking of her dreams.

He moved his thumb down to caress her cheek, and he leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead. Right now he felt more like a father than a suitor vying for her affections. He began to further regret his relationship with his family, how he despised them for trying to raise him right and stifling him instead, telling him not to do what he wanted, even telling him to give up the whole Alanthis empire and seek after wholesome and righteous things. Giving the wealth to the poor and to charities. He had made such donations, but never the whole family fortune.

He began to gain a better understanding of what it was like to be them... And he always accused them of not understanding him.
But now as he comforted an angel of darkness, and himself becoming a creature of the night, he noticed blood dripping down his face... blood tears... The tears of a monster. He would never be able to look at his family the same way ever again. But as he looked down at the girl sleeping in the bed before him... He decided he could live with that.
"I'll be here Lenuta... Whenever you need me."